Reset Your System

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." — Romans 12:2 

When was the last time you rebooted your theology?

I had one of my first experiences with computers when I lived in Houston. I had the use of an early laptop with a massive hard drive—40 Megabytes. I was learning my way around the Internet and DOS. In the first week, I accidentally deleted DOS. They had to reboot the entire system. I was beginning again with a brand-new system.

Sometimes we need to do that spiritually. We need to reset our minds to make sure we're theologically aligned with God's Word.

Our church reaches people from all walks of life. We have people from every denomination and non-denomination. Some people have no church experience whatsoever. Therefore, it is important that we are on the same page theologically.

Here's the problem: Many of us are operating on old programming. We're running on theological assumptions we picked up as children. We believe things because our parents believed them, not because we've tested them against Scripture.

Some of what you learned growing up is solid biblical truth. But some of it might be tradition, culture, or even error. How would you know unless you go back to the source code—the Word of God?

It is important that you establish what you believe and that you understand the Word of God. Don't just assume your theology is correct because it's familiar. Test it. Examine it. Make sure it aligns with Scripture.

Maybe you were taught that being a good person gets you to heaven. Reset. Scripture says it's by grace through faith, not works.

Maybe you were taught that God is distant and angry. Reset. Scripture reveals a Father who loves you and sent His Son to die for you.

Maybe you were taught that church attendance equals salvation. Reset. Scripture teaches that transformation comes from being born again.

Don't be afraid to question what you've always believed. Don't be afraid to say, "I need to go back to the Bible and make sure this is right."

God's Word is the standard. Everything else—tradition, culture, preference—gets tested against it. Reset your mind. Align your theology with Scripture. Start fresh with a brand-new system built on God's truth.